Celera to acquire Axys

Genomics and bioinformatics play CRA will acquire AXPH in a stock transaction valued at $170.2 million based on CRA's Tuesday closing price of $41.75, which would value each AXPH share at $4.65. CRA said the acquisition will accelerate its expansion into drug discovery. AXPH, which has 36.6 million shares outstanding, has drug discovery collaborations with Bayer (FSE:BAYG), Merck (MRK), and Aventis (AVE) in tryptase inhibitors and cathepsin inhibitors to treat osteoporosis and inflammatory disorders, respectively. ...